An American in Paris

I met an American fashionista on the trip. She was a member of my travel group, a young textbook editor from Chicago. I spotted her on Sunday afternoon at the group’s first meeting -- she was a standout. Her haircut is reminiscent of the 1960s Vidal Sassoon bob. The side fringes drew my attention to her fabulous earrings, which resembled the scales of Libra.

Slim and stylish, she looks like an extra from the Beatles debut film, “Hard Days Night” or a member of the new incarnation of The Bangles. Everyday she pulled French style out of her suitcase and slipped it on. Large glamorous sunglasses, mini skirts that showed off long legs, and liberal, but not gaudy use of color. Always appropriate and spot on.

During the week that our group wandered through Paris, I asked her about her style influences and got the surprising answer, “Well, no one in particular.” She intimated that most of the women she admires are not in fashion. This coming from a woman who crosses Audrey Hepburn’s gamine quality with Twiggy’s mod, swinging London look! She told me that she dresses by imaging her “personal future” and dressing like that person.

She doesn’t spend much money on clothes, says that there is no reason to do so. One of her favorite spots for fun accessories is Target. She scoured the few modestly priced shops in Paris and scored shoes, dresses, t-shirts and other items on sale (or prix massacres) that will increase her cache of stylista points.

Here are a couple of pics that showcase her summer style savvy and fashion sense. Keep on stylin’ girl!